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Crews continued to battle the massive, still-growing Silver Fire Thursday night. Riverside fire officials say more than two dozen homes have been destroyed and more than 500 structures are still threatened. Jacob Rascon reports for the NBC4 News at 11 p.m. on Aug. 8, 2013. (Published Thursday, Aug 8, 2013)

Updated at 1:41 AM PDT on Friday, Aug 9, 2013

A raging wildfire that spread rapidly in Southern California mountain foothill communities was scorching more rugged terrain Thursday, and the reported number of homes destroyed was expected to increase.

Five firefighters and one resident had been injured by the Silver Fire, which prompted evacuations in several communities as it raced through nearly 16 square miles between Banning and Idyllwild in less than 24 hours.

Thousands of Firefighters Battle Silver Fire

A "dangerous" wildfire burning between Banning and Idyllwild continued to grow Thursday, and began to move east toward the resort town of Palm Springs. Four firefighters suffered minor injuries from smoke inhalation, and several communities were evacuated. Conan Nolan reports from Beaumont for the NBC4 News at 6 p.m. on Aug. 8, 2013. (Published Thursday, Aug 8, 2013)

At least 26 homes and a commercial building had been destroyed, according to a Thursday night update from the Riverside County Fire Department. Two structures have been damaged by Silver Fire flames.

At a Thursday afternoon news conference, Cal Fire Riverside Chief John R. Hawkins said more than 500 structures had been threatened in the blaze, which moved rapidly and jumped a highway after erupting about 2 p.m. Wednesday about 90 miles east of Los Angeles.

Winds, Heat a Concern as Wildfire Grows

The Silver Fire had spread to some 10,000 acres within 24 hours, burning east on Thursday deeper into the San Jacinto Mountains and blanketing surrounding communities with smoke. Tena Ezzeddine and Meghan Reyes report for the NBC4 News at Noon on Aug. 8, 2013. (Published Thursday, Aug 8, 2013)

"It's stressful, you always wonder if your house is going to be there or not," said resident Mike Galusha.

Aerial video showed numerous homes being swallowed by flames, including homes with vehicles still in the carport and driveway, pictured below. Some residents rushed out, leaving animals behind. At least 15 structures were destroyed, but it was not clear how many were homes.

One resident was severely burned from "head to toe."

"The civilian -- very, very tragically -- was very badly burned," Hawkins said.

The resident suffered full-thickness burns over the entire body and was taken to a hospital burn center, he said.

Anywhere that residents can see or smell smoke from the wildfires was also included in the warning, according to the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

An NBC4 viewer in Palm Springs -- 25 miles away from the Silver Fire -- said remnants of the fire were present in the resort town.

"The smoke is so thick here in Palm springs, the ashes are coming down like snow, and the air quality is really bad!!" Michelle Renee Robinson-Scruggs wrote Wednesday on NBC4's Facebook page.

The Silver Fire broke out in an area about 20 miles north-northwest of the origin of the Mountain Fire, which burned 43 square miles last month. In that blaze, which prompted the evacuation of thousands of area residents, fire officials had warned of extremely flammable fuels due in part to a dry winter.

The Silver Fire had scorched more than 300 acres within its first hour, according to the fire department’s online incident report. The cause of the fire was under investigation.